December, Remembered or The Reason for the Season

As covered in this previous post, this most busy month of

December also included Henry's baptism!

At first glance having to plan and pull off a baptism by myself (which is what I had to do after the stake had so many scheduling changes that I finally "went rogue" and planned my own, right down to scheduling the speakers and musical numbers and making and printing the program) on the second to last Saturday before Christmas seemed a bit overwhelming. Then I realized that this whole day would actually be quite a welcome respite from the whole Christmas hustle and bustle, a day that I could put all of that aside and just focus on being surrounded by family and celebrating Henry's decision to follow our Savior's example and be baptized.

One of the better things to come from this is that my parents flew down for a long weekend visit and to attend the baptism.

it was so special having them here, especially

Grandpa Bob who hasn't been to visit us since

the twin's baptism three years ago.

Our family loves having grandparents around

for a variety of reasons.

Here are just a few....

Grandma bought us a Santa cake from the bakery!

(Grandpa bought us all dinner at Souplantation!)

Grandma did all of the laundry and ironing!

(She even looked for things to iron!)

Grandpa sat with Henry and listened to

him read "Ready, Freddy!" books to no end

(Grandpa also spent the better part of Friday

afternoon after they flew in dismantling the

toilet and fixing a bad pipe in it - no easy task!)

The twins voluntarily pulled out their

instruments from music this year and

performed an impromptu concert!

(or at least attempted Jingle Bells)

Jed was a willing music stand participant

Harriet with her "flutation device" (her joke)

and of course they were among the

honored guests at Henry's baptism

on a very rainy Saturday afternoon.

(we did have other family at the baptism

but they arrived too late for the before-hand photo session.

Here's a picture....)

Our two grandpas talking after the baptism,

Sue and Grandma in the background.

Thanks to everyone who came from near and

far to help us celebrate this happy day!